Tamarind and Saffron

The ravishing cover of Tamarind and Saffron, brilliant yellow quinces in a blue-glazed dish, hints at the pleasures within its covers. Claudia Roden has subtitled the book "Favourite Recipes from the Middle East", and it is no more and no less than this. Eschewing the broad historical and geographical panorama that so enriched The Book of Jewish Food, she concentrates solely on the food, putting together a collection of recipes from the Middle East that are light, fresh, delicious and immensely evocative. The enticing aromas of North Africa rise from its pages, expressed in the differing spice-dialects of the national cuisines--the coriander, cinnamon, cumin, honey, orange-blossom water, preserved lemon, mint. The dishes range from the simplest of mezze to elaborate feast dishes but there is nothing that is remotely difficult. At the minimalist end of the scale, "Squid with Garlic and Chillies" is just that--the three briefly fried together; "Artichokes, Broad Beans and Almonds" combines unexpected ingredients to exquisite effect; and the Quince Dessert simply poaches the fruit in a light syrup, allowing its magical flavour to predominate. More demanding dishes include the spectacular " Pigeons Stuffed with Cous cous", the very elegant "Turkish Lamb Stew with Aubergine Cream Sauce" and "Roast Leg of Lamb with Meat, Rice and Nut Stuffing" (standing for that grandest of Arab dishes, whole stuffed baby lamb). And then there are the sweet dishes. This is an endlessly fascinating book, its deceptive simplicity masking a profound knowledge of the region's food. Really, as critics tend to say, one could cook from it forever. --Robin Davidson

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Easy to cook recipes from the Middle East - Rated
This is a wonderful book full of easy to cook recipes that taste delicious and will impress your family and friends. The dishes taste exotic but use ingredients that are easily available in most supermarkets. The book includes recipes for salads, soups, main dishes, vegetables and desserts. My sister spent years learning how to cook like this in the Middle East. I can now (almost) reach her standard by using this book.

A wonderful introduction to the cooking of the region - Rated
I wanted to try Moroccan cookery and was delighted to be given this book as a present. The recipes are clear and easy to follow, many of them can be cooked in advance and the illustrations are lovely - and almost realistic. None of the ones I have tried have failed to delight (my partner asks me to mention especially the Saffron Caramel Cream on p 187). Most of the ingredients have been readily available - even in the provincial outreaches of Leeds (OK so I can't find frozen artichoke bottoms but that's my fault, right, for not living in London - use fresh ones instead from local allotments garden shop!) I have been inspired to ask - and receive - a tagine cooking pot for Christmas and to move on to more dedicated books on specific cuisine such as Moroccan Cuisine by Paula Wolfert. An excellent follow up to, if not in the same league as, The Book of Jewish Food.

A simple yet tasty book on Middle Eastern Cooking. - Rated
This is the first time that I read a book by Claudia Roden and I was very impressed by it. I have tried about half a dozen recipes from this book within a two week period. The instructions are very simple to follow and the end results are delicious. The only suggestion that I would like to make is to insert a section with explanations of all the spices and ingredients somewhere in the book.